How You Can Prevent Corrosion of Your BMW’s Alloy Wheels

Alloy wheels are the most common type of wheel on BMW’s off the dealership floor. They are made of light-weight aluminum and are painted with shiny silver or a flat metallic color and clear coated, much like the paint job on your car. Alloy wheels come in varying sizes to match the size of your tires. There are all sorts of spoked, & classic versions. Like the paint on your BMW and the components therein, your alloy wheels will need care and maintenance.

Wheels vs. Rims vs. Tires

Let’s take a quick look at these components for proper definition:

• The Tire: Your tires are the round component made mostly of rubber that is placed onto a car’s round wheel. Tires support the car and make contact with the road, using power transferred from the engine to propel the car forward, gripping the road by friction.
• The Rim: The words wheels and rims are tossed around synonymously. While this can work for layman’s terms, wheels and rims are slightly different. The rim is the edge of the wheel that makes contact with the tire. In some rims, the edge that faces outward has holes in it that are used to bold a tire onto an off-road wheel.
• The Alloy Wheel: Wheels are what gives the lower half of your car its personality. Alloy wheels are also lighter weight than regular wheels, so it also improves the performance of your engine. They come in many different styles and colors, which makes it ideal for customizing your BMW.

Causes of Wheel Corrosion and Damage

After you pick out your wheels or purchase your BMW with its special alloy wheels, you’ll want to care for them and maintain their shine, matte finish, or integrity. They need upkeep similar to your car’s paint job.

Alloy wheels will not rust, but if they are scratched or dented, the paint coating will flake off and white patches can appear on the wheel. They can also suffer from pitting, which looks like speckles on your wheels. This is usually from salt on the roads in winter months.

Brake dust can cause the paint sealant on your alloy wheels to break down over time. Your alloy wheels can lose their luster, much like a paint job that gets dull and dingy over time. If you wash and care for your alloy wheels, they will stay shiny for years.

If you have larger diameter tires in the 18 to 19 inch range, the alloy wheel can sit lower to the road if you have a low-profile suspension. If you hit a pothole or encounter rough road debris, you may experience a ding or crack in your alloy wheel.

Alloy Wheel Care and Refurbishment

To care for your alloy wheels, treat it much like your BMW’s paint coating. Your wheels can be washed with lukewarm soapy water and/or the same cleaner you use for the body of your BMW. Be sure to wash the interior walls of your wheels to remove any accumulated brake dust and road grime. It’s also prudent to wash the tires themselves of dirt, debris, and black road dust that can dull the shine of your alloy wheels if it’s splattered onto your wheels as you drive.

If you notice damage, there are affordable options for refurbishment of your BMW’s alloy wheels. This includes repairing any cracks, dings, or dents along with refinishing your paint and clear coating of your alloy wheels. This is an affordable service that usually only takes a couple of hours, so be sure to call or come by to speak with one of our technicians about alloy wheel refurbishment.

Ultimate Bimmer Service: Alloy Wheel Experts

We are the premier independent BMW auto service center in Dallas! Our customers have depended on our master technicians for their routine maintenance, repair service, and emergency car concerns. It is our goal to ensure you are 100% satisfied with our workmanship so you will choose to return to our shop to prolong the longevity of your BMW.

Because we specialize in this brand, we are experts on BMW models and their intricacies. Allow us to show you why we are the best in BMW maintenance and repairs as the affordable dealership alternative. Come visit us at Ultimate Bimmer Service in Carrolton and Dallas, TX for maintenance of your alloy wheels, A/C and heating services, oil changes, transmission repairs, performance upgrades, engine repair, brake service, battery replacements, and much more. Call us today for an appointment that suits your schedule. We look forward to earning your patronage.

* BMW Alloy Sports Wheel image credit goes to: Nickbeer.